4500-year-old Harappan civilisation remains discovered near Pak border in Rajasthan
This is the first recorded case of Harappan remains being found in the Thar desert region, suggesting a significant expansion of the civilisation's geographical footprint. The team has confirmed the authenticity of the site and submitted their research for publication in the Indian Journal of Science.Artifacts found at the site point to a developed, urban Harappan settlement. Key discoveries include:Red and wheat-colored pottery, including bowls, pitchers, cups, and perforated jarsHandmade pottery decorated with geometric patternsBlades (8–10 cm) made from chert stone, likely sourced from Rohri in present-day PakistanBangles made from clay and conch shellsTerracotta cakes in triangular, circular, and idli-like shapesStone mills, likely used for grinding and rubbing materialsWedge-shaped bricks, indicative of circular structures or furnacesStandard rectangular bricks, associated with Harappan urban planningA furnace structure with a central column, comparable to those found at Kanmer (Gujarat) and Mohenjodaro (Pakistan)Remains of ancient walls, suggesting organized construction and layout"This is a significant find in the context of Rajasthan's desert archaeology," said researcher Dilip Kumar Saini. "The presence of Harappan remains in such a remote, sandy terrain suggests a previously unknown settlement that endured the harsh conditions of the Thar desert."Historian Parth Jagani emphasised the site's strategic and cultural importance, stating, "This is the first Harappan urban settlement discovered in the desert region between North Rajasthan and Gujarat. Its proximity to the Pakistan border adds another layer of historical significance."The site came to academic attention after local teacher Pradeep Kumar Garg reported findings to the Save Our Heritage Foundation. A subsequent visit in June by Dr Pankaj Chandak, Assistant Professor of History in Himachal Pradesh and author of An Introduction to Archaeology, and Dr Krishnapal Singh, Principal of Aravali Mahavidyalaya, further validated the site's significance.Dr Chandak and Dr Singh noted the presence of red and wheat-colored handmade pottery, chert knives, and ancient brick walls. Decorative geometric patterns on many artifacts suggest a socially and economically advanced society. They estimate the ancient city spanned approximately 50 by 50 meters and was likely located at the mouth of the now-extinct Saraswati River.This newly unearthed site offers a rare glimpse into the urban and cultural life of the Harappan civilisation in one of India's most arid and remote regions. Further excavations and studies are expected to yield valuable insights into the spread and adaptation of one of the world's earliest urban cultures.- EndsMust Watch
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Hans India
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First confirmed Harappan settlement in Thar Desert unearthed
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India Today
4 days ago
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4500-year-old Harappan civilisation remains discovered near Pak border in Rajasthan
In a landmark archaeological breakthrough, remains of a 4,500-year-old Harappan (Indus Valley) civilisation have been discovered near the Pakistan border in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer site, located at Ratadia Ri Deri, lies approximately 60 kilometers from Ramgarh tehsil and 17 kilometers northwest of the border village discovery was made through a collaborative effort involving Dilip Kumar Saini, a researcher in the Department of History and Indian Culture at Rajasthan University, historian Parth Jagani from Jaisalmer, Professor Jeevan Singh Kharkwal of Rajasthan Vidyapeeth, Udaipur, Dr Tamegh Panwar, and Dr Ravindra Devda from Rajasthan University, with support from local contributors Chatar Singh 'Jam' and Pradeep Kumar Garg of This is the first recorded case of Harappan remains being found in the Thar desert region, suggesting a significant expansion of the civilisation's geographical footprint. The team has confirmed the authenticity of the site and submitted their research for publication in the Indian Journal of found at the site point to a developed, urban Harappan settlement. Key discoveries include:Red and wheat-colored pottery, including bowls, pitchers, cups, and perforated jarsHandmade pottery decorated with geometric patternsBlades (8–10 cm) made from chert stone, likely sourced from Rohri in present-day PakistanBangles made from clay and conch shellsTerracotta cakes in triangular, circular, and idli-like shapesStone mills, likely used for grinding and rubbing materialsWedge-shaped bricks, indicative of circular structures or furnacesStandard rectangular bricks, associated with Harappan urban planningA furnace structure with a central column, comparable to those found at Kanmer (Gujarat) and Mohenjodaro (Pakistan)Remains of ancient walls, suggesting organized construction and layout"This is a significant find in the context of Rajasthan's desert archaeology," said researcher Dilip Kumar Saini. "The presence of Harappan remains in such a remote, sandy terrain suggests a previously unknown settlement that endured the harsh conditions of the Thar desert."Historian Parth Jagani emphasised the site's strategic and cultural importance, stating, "This is the first Harappan urban settlement discovered in the desert region between North Rajasthan and Gujarat. Its proximity to the Pakistan border adds another layer of historical significance."The site came to academic attention after local teacher Pradeep Kumar Garg reported findings to the Save Our Heritage Foundation. A subsequent visit in June by Dr Pankaj Chandak, Assistant Professor of History in Himachal Pradesh and author of An Introduction to Archaeology, and Dr Krishnapal Singh, Principal of Aravali Mahavidyalaya, further validated the site's Chandak and Dr Singh noted the presence of red and wheat-colored handmade pottery, chert knives, and ancient brick walls. Decorative geometric patterns on many artifacts suggest a socially and economically advanced society. They estimate the ancient city spanned approximately 50 by 50 meters and was likely located at the mouth of the now-extinct Saraswati newly unearthed site offers a rare glimpse into the urban and cultural life of the Harappan civilisation in one of India's most arid and remote regions. Further excavations and studies are expected to yield valuable insights into the spread and adaptation of one of the world's earliest urban cultures.- EndsMust Watch
News18
4 days ago
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Researchers unearth first confirmed Harappan settlement in Thar Desert
Jaipur, Jul 30 (PTI) Researchers have unearthed the first confirmed Harappan settlement in Rajasthan's arid western region, revealing vital clues that are set to reshape the known boundaries of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation. This marks the first evidence of Indus Valley presence in Rajasthan's deep desert, and is being seen as a vital link between known Harappan sites in northern Rajasthan and Gujarat. The discovery was made at Raatadi Ri Dheri in the Jaisalmer district, a remote desert location nearly 60 km from Ramgarh tehsil and around 70 km from Sandhanawala in Pakistan, where Harappan remnants had previously been identified. The site was excavated by archaeologist Pankaj Jagani and the findings have been subsequently validated by experts from the University of Rajasthan and Rajasthan Vidyapeeth in Udaipur. The artefacts recovered include classic Harappan material culture, red ware pottery, perforated jars, terracotta cakes, chert blades, and clay and shell bangles. A kiln with a central column, wedge-shaped bricks and foundations consistent with the Harappan architectural patterns was also unearthed. 'This is a small but significant rural Harappan site, likely dating between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE," said Dr Jeevan Singh Kharkwal, an archaeologist at Rajasthan Vidyapeeth. 'Its location and characteristics bridge an important archaeological gap between northern Rajasthan and Gujarat," he said. Experts say the site's design elements, such as a kiln similar to those found at Kalibangan and Mohenjodaro, suggest a complex socio-economic system that extended well into what is today considered an uninhabitable desert. These features point to a once-thriving hinterland that supported trade and artisanal production in the Indus network. Dr Tamegh Panwar, a senior historian from Rajasthan's tourism and cultural department, called the find 'historically significant". 'The site reflects the dynamics of Harappan rural settlements and their role in connecting urban centres via trade and resource integration," he said. The discovery, which includes tools made of chert, a fine-grained stone sourced from Sindh and Rohri blade fragments, is further evidence of long-distance exchange and resource mobilisation across the civilisation's vast geography. Archaeologists say the site adds an important dimension to the understanding of Harappan rural networks, especially in resource-scarce desert zones that had been largely overlooked in Indus Valley studies. It also opens the possibility of more Harappan settlements buried under Rajasthan's shifting sands. A detailed research paper by Dr Kharkwal and Jagani has been submitted to an international peer-reviewed journal. If accepted, the site may gain global recognition as a keystone in Harappan studies. With this find, Rajasthan has joined the expanding cartographic footprint of one of the world's earliest urban civilisations, offering a new lens to view its rural-urban dynamics, environmental adaptation, and inter-regional connectivity nearly 4,500 years ago. PTI AG APL APL MNK MNK view comments First Published: July 30, 2025, 15:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
